Let’s get right to it. I hate carrying groceries into the house! I have owned this disdain ever since I was a kid. I think my mother had a lot to do with the development of my attitude. I would try to carry everything all in one trip. My mother didn’t trust me not to smash, crush, or break things, so she worked hard at controlling how I accomplished this awful chore. I was not too fond of that.

My case for getting it done expeditiously suffered a setback when some glass Coke bottles fell out of their carton and broke on the sidewalk, creating a big, sticky mess. Of course, she blamed me and wouldn’t listen to my defense when I tried to show her that the cardboard carton was wet. Therefore weakening it and allowing the bottles to break through.

Even after escaping her controlling parenting habits, I still found myself hating this chore. I would go grocery shopping as little as possible. Some of the places I lived as an adult did not make this activity any less frustrating.

So why am I boring you with one of my favorite pet peeves? To illustrate a point as to how much God loves us and cares, even about the things we don’t enjoy doing. Prove it? I will. As I was about to retire from AT&T, I studied my options and decided it was best to move back to my hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Housing is reasonable, and my father was sick, and I knew he would need help.

I started looking at houses online from Chicago. I found one I liked immediately, as to where it was located and how it looked. I studied the seven photos of the interior and finally figured out the floor plan. My architectural background helped. I got so excited when I realized that the kitchen door opened to the garage. My real estate agent tried to talk me out of purchasing the house because it had a lot of little issues. But something inside my spirit kept bringing me back to it.

When the seller lowered the price $16,000, I told my agent, “I want this house!” I signed a contract without even looking at the house in person. When I did walk through it, I loved it. After I closed, I felt so blessed by God. This house was about to become my favorite home. In case you haven’t figured it out yet, when I come home with groceries, I back the car into the garage. After I open the kitchen door and the trunk, I grab my groceries, turn my body, and place them right into the kitchen. It doesn’t matter if they are in paper or plastic; there are no steps involved! God truly blessed me.

God cares so much about you and your life. Even what may seem like small things. And He loves to give his children good gifts. Even a house that will eliminate your favorite pet peeve!

But [even] the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not be struck with fear or seized with alarm; you are of greater worth than many [flocks] of sparrows. Luke 12:7 (AMPC)

You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better? Mat. 7:11 (MSG)

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady.